Tom Wagner, top pints and a thriving Blues community: We visit Birmingham City's MiXR Fanzone

A commotion broke out as we were tucking into our gourmet burgers.

“It’s him alright,” one bloke sporting a replica of the 84/85 away shirt said to his mate who was bringing over a clutch of light ales.

“What?” he began to reply before a dozen or so of their mates burst into song.

“Tommy Wagner is a blue, is a blue, is a blue,” rang out around us as the drinks were shared about and Birmingham's billionaire owner shook hands, slapped backs and posed for selfies with legions of admirers.

Sporting a very on brand peaky blinders flat cap, he strode onto the stage and whipped hundreds of bluenoses into a frenzy, thanking them for their support and leading the chants before insisting on a massive group picture with his adoring public.

Just another day in the MiXR Fanzone outside St Andrews @ Knighthead Park as the blue half of the city take another step on its path to revival.

MiXR - and its parent company Stonegate Pubs - have come together with the Blues to create the perfect pre match pint location - right on the doorstep of the main stand.

Serving extremely reasonably priced pints (about a fiver) of favourite drinks like Birra Moretti and Cruzampo and delicious smash burgers laden with bacon and cheese (about a tenner).

MiXR also has its own app allowing fans to earn points for every pint supped at MiXr venues.

And during our visit we even got to rub shoulders with the man who has allowed the sleeping giant to awaken.

If you didn’t know already, these are special times for the Blues. Beset by set backs and disappointments for the past 15 years, things are now looking up.

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With Wagner and global sporting great Tom Brady in the hotseat, Chris Davies’s men have set League One alight, led by Jay Stansfield, Alfie May - and arguably the best player to play at this level - Tomoki Iwata, who sent the crowd into raptures with one of the best FA Cup goals in its 154 year history.

And MiXR’s fanzone is without doubt the place to be pre-match. So pass me some dirty fries and a pint and join in showing the West Midlands how we’re forever true to the royal blue.

Download the app here.